Hitch on a SS?
05-05-2011, 02:41 PM
#31
Member
Join Date: 01-30-2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 59
Well, I actually called GM corporate about this and their engineering department reply was, 'it failed the tests'.
So, that meant nothing to me. Bumper ripped off? Transmission burned out? Clutch failed? What failed? No details.
Considering you can haul 1000 lbs of people and luggage in the vehicle, this really dismisses the standard vs. auto transmission cooling issue.
LT auto can haul a light trailer with much less hp, and you'd think a more powerful engine would be mated to a more capable transmission.
So, yes, there are a lot of contradictions around this.
I'm frankly disappointed with their stance on this because I really could use a trailer to haul light stuff around. OH well, in the back of the vehicle it goes... at least that hauling is warrantied. :P
So, that meant nothing to me. Bumper ripped off? Transmission burned out? Clutch failed? What failed? No details.
Considering you can haul 1000 lbs of people and luggage in the vehicle, this really dismisses the standard vs. auto transmission cooling issue.
LT auto can haul a light trailer with much less hp, and you'd think a more powerful engine would be mated to a more capable transmission.
So, yes, there are a lot of contradictions around this.
I'm frankly disappointed with their stance on this because I really could use a trailer to haul light stuff around. OH well, in the back of the vehicle it goes... at least that hauling is warrantied. :P
05-05-2011, 03:49 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-04-2010
Location: Delaware
Posts: 724
tow capacity was scaled from the strength of the chasis/frame/etc.... not just how much power your engine puts out and how much power your tranny can hold.
can you put a hitch on a HHR? yes
can you tow a small trailor with say.... a dirtbike on it? yes
can you tow a 20ft bass boat & pull the trailor & boat out of the water? no chance
can you put a bike rack on the hitch? yes
can you pull the smallest uhaul trailor? maybe, depends on how much crap you put in it.
having 1000lbs of people/luggage inside the HHR puts stress on the suspension.
pulling 1000lbs on a trailor puts stress on the chasis/frame.
FWD vehicles aren't intended to tow trailors, boats, etc., so the chasis/frame isn't as strong as a truck, something that's intended to do those things.
can you put a hitch on a HHR? yes
can you tow a small trailor with say.... a dirtbike on it? yes
can you tow a 20ft bass boat & pull the trailor & boat out of the water? no chance
can you put a bike rack on the hitch? yes
can you pull the smallest uhaul trailor? maybe, depends on how much crap you put in it.
having 1000lbs of people/luggage inside the HHR puts stress on the suspension.
pulling 1000lbs on a trailor puts stress on the chasis/frame.
FWD vehicles aren't intended to tow trailors, boats, etc., so the chasis/frame isn't as strong as a truck, something that's intended to do those things.
06-07-2011, 09:41 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-02-2008
Location: Fairport Harbor, OH
Posts: 2,358
Installed a Hidden Hitch
It turned out to be a three hour PITA, but I was successfull.
First jack up the car with the stock jack and support on jackstands.
After install it's not very noticable and there is minimal distortion on the ground effects.
Next, I'll see what I can do with it.
First jack up the car with the stock jack and support on jackstands.
After install it's not very noticable and there is minimal distortion on the ground effects.
Next, I'll see what I can do with it.
06-09-2011, 09:14 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-02-2008
Location: Fairport Harbor, OH
Posts: 2,358
No. It looks like it would do more harm than good. There is a deflection of maybe 1/4 inch, if that. You have to get your eyes down to ground level to even notice, and even then you're not sure. I'll get more pics when I try to tow something.
